Headlight mechanism.



C. S. PARCELLS.

HEADLIGHT MBOHANISM. APPLIOATION FILED APRA?, 1013,

1,091,532, Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. S. PARCELLS. HEADLGHT MECHANISM.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.17,1913.

1,091,532., Patented Mar.31, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CHARLES S. PARCELLS, OF OVID, NEW YORK.

HEADLIeHT' MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914-.

Application filed April 17, 1913. Serial No.`761,664. v

To aZZ whom it may concern f Be it known that I, CHARLES S. PARCELLS, of Ovid, in the county of Seneca and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Headlight Mechanisms, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates to headlight mechanisms for vehicles, such as auto'- mobiles, motor boats,trolley cars, and locomotives, and an object ofthe same is to provide a construction in which there are employed two .lamp/s, one of which maintains a position to dii-ectits rays in line with the body of the vehicle while the other is shifted to direct its rays in the direction of the turning of the vehicle, the movable lamp being located on the side of the vehicle opposite that to which the vehicle is to be turned so that the axis of'the beam of the lamp will cross the axis of the beam of the other lamp and, in this way, any projecting portions on the vehicle in proximity to. the lamp such, for instance, asythe wheel and fender of an automobile will not interfere with the beam of ray' and also the rays will extend from that portion of the vehicle which projects the farthest forward during 'the turning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple mechanism for controlling headlight lamps in such a manner that one may turn independently of the other.

Still another object of the invention is to providea strong and durable`support for headlight lamps permitting the latter to turn easilyand at the same time prevent-ing its getting out of order from the vibrations or shocks to which the vehicle is subjected.

To these and other ends the invention consists of cert-ain parts and combinations 4of parts, all of which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of al portionof n motor vehicle to which this invention if shown applied; Fig. 2 is'a plan view of one of the lamps and its' supporting means; Fig. 3 is a iear view of one of the lamps and its supporting means; Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the supporting means; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view showing the manner of supporting the equalizing member; and Figs. G, 7 and 8 are detail views of the combined shock absorber and throw out interposed between the lamp operating mechanism and the steering mechanism of the vehicle.

According to the preventV invention, a

structure is provided in which two lamps are arranged, side by side, and are connected to the vehicle in such a manner that when the vehicle is turning a corner, the lamp on that side opposite the direction in which the 55 vehicle is about to turn, projects the axis of itsbeam ofrays across the axisof the beam of rays of the other lamp and in the direction in whieh the vehicle is about to turn, the other lamp remaining stationary with relation to the vehicle so that it projects its rays in the direction of the length 4of the vehicle or, in other words, substantially in the direction in which the vehicle has previously traveled. person in control of the vehicle is able to maintain his bearings because he has before him views of both directions. wWhen a vehicle is traveling straight ahead, both rays preferably focus at a point some distance ahead of the vehicle and, in this way, an intense ield of light is provided during the ordinary travel or movement of the vehicle. Provision is also made for operating the lamps independently of the steering mechanism so that the person in control of the vehicle may control the shifting of thelamps for the purpose of viewing the objects on the sides of the road.

' In the illustrated embodiment of the in-4 90 vent-ion, wherein the saine is `shown as applied to a motor vehicle, l indicates the longitudinal frame members of the motor vehicle which may be, as usual, connected near their forward ends by the axle 2 to which 95 the spindles of the wheels 3 are pivotally secured, said wheels being controlled by a suitable steering mechanism et which, in this instance, employs a rock shaft 5 mounted on the frame of the vehicle and controlled by the steering shaft G leading to the usual hand wheel (not shown),

The headlight mechanism embodies the two lamps 7 and 8 which are preferably supported in a manner to be describedso ln this way, the 75 Each of these 11( betweenthe twonuts il and 12. The shaft turns loosely in asleeve 13 which may be rigidly secured to a bracket arm 14 of suitable shape preferably bolted or otherwise attached to the vehicle as, for instance,to one of the frame pieces 1.

In order to provide an extended or wide bearing for each lamp so that vibrations or shocks will not affect the same, a member 15 preferably of inverted cup-shape is rigidly` secured, as by a pin 16, tothe rock shaft 10 and is disposed over a disk-shaped flange 17 surrounding the sleeve 13 at a point between the ends of the latter, said sleeve projecting from opposite sides of the disk or flange. The lperiphery of the cup-shaped member -15 is provided with an annular Y groove of V-shape in cross section and the upper face of the flange 17 is provided with a V-shaped groove to register with the groove in `the cup-shaped member to form a race Way for the balls 18. This race way may be protected against dust by a flange 19 which depends from the cup-shaped member 15 about the periphery of the flange 17. The nuts 11 and 12 together with the lamp bracket llie abovel this cup-shaped member 15.

the end of the sleeve 13 by a lock nut 28.- vIt will be noted ythat by adjust-ing the lock nut 23, the desired lpressure on the balls 18 and 21 may be obtained and in this way all .looseness of parts with the consequent vibration is prevented. rThe cup-shaped member and the flange or disk 17 may be made of a width to correspond with the weight of a lamp so that the lamp may be provided with 'a base corresponding to such weight and, in this way, movement of the lamp laterally of its bearings is prevented.

Under normal conditions, each lamp lies in such a position that it directs its rays at a slight angle to the direction of the travel of the vehicle, and this position may be maintained in any suitable manner, but it is preferably accomplished through the medium of a spring. In this instance, this spring is housed betweenthe cupshape,d member 15 and the flange 10 on the sleeve se that said spring protected'against dirt and malicious manipulation. This spring may be made from a single piece of wire which is first bent about midway between its ends and then coiled from thelbent pertially at diametrically opposite points in. order that the strain on the bearings will be l equally distributed.

To limit the action of the cup-shaped member, and consequently the lamp, dueto the spring, suitable stops are provided, preferably, one on the cu'p-shaped member and the other on the disk 17. These stops maybe in the form of two pins 27 and 28. One of. these pins rmay be rigid with the cup-shapedmember and extend inwardly "therefrom whilethe other may be adjustably mounted. on the disk 17. This adjustment may be effected in any suitable manner but, in the present instance, the disk is provided with a slot 29 in which the pin 28 operates in order to be shifted to different position and is held in the adjusted position by a clamp nut 30. This adjustment is provided in order that the normal axis of the beam or 'rays may be shifted so that the two lights may be made to focus at any point ahead of the vehicle.

The mechanism which shifts one lamp independently of the other, preferably, embodies an equalizing member or bar 31 pivoted, preferably between its ends in a manner to be described and having flexible connection with both lamps. In this instance, a cable, chain, cord or other flexible element 32 is secured at one end to one end of the pivoted egualizing member 31 and yat the other end is connected with the lamp, and, for this purpose, the rock shaft 10 has an arm 33 clamped on is lower end by a nut Se, said arm extending forwardly and inwardly so that a rearward pull thereon swings the lamp inwardly. This arm may be set at any desired angle either permanently or adjustably. As this arm extends forwardly, it tends, when a pull is exerted thereon, to move quicker at the start than'at the end of its movement. This is particulai-ly desirable in a mechanism of this kind as the light shifts quicker or travels farther during the first part of the turning movement of the vehicle than during the latter 'part of the movement.

For pivoting the equalizing lever, a bracket 35 may \be bolted or otherwise secured to the cross piece 36a at the'forward end of the machine. a bearing for a pivot bolt 36, the head-of which is interlocked with the equalizer bar 31 in such a manner that itturns with the bar. The under surface of the equalizer bar 31 is provided with an annular,groove of V- shape in cross section which registers with@ izo This bracket serves as f SSR like groove on the upper part of the bracket bearing 36 to form a race way for the balls 38 to reduce the friction between the equalzer bar and its bearing. Thelower end of the bearing 35 is also formed with an annu-- lar groove of V-shape in cross section and with this groove registers a like groove on an adjusting nut 239 arranged on the lower end of the pivot belt 37. The equalizer bar or member is connected with the steering mechanism of thel vehicle and to this end the pivot bolt 37 carries at its lower end an arm et() to which is connected the pull rod @t1 which is in turn connected to the shaft 5 of the steering mechanism before mentioned.

Another important feature in this invention is the combined shock absorber' and throw out which is interposed between the steering mechanism and the lamp operating mechanism. This comprises a crank arm t2 rigitlly secured, preferably, to the stub shaft 5 of the steering mechanism and having a headed crank pin 43 eccentrieally arranged thereon. For cooperation with this crank pin 43, the pull bar 4:1 is formed with a recess or notch which receives said pin 43. This notch is of peculiar formation, having its inner end formed with two converging' walls tet which simultaneously cooperates with the crank pin 43 while the parts are not working. However, upon the operation oty the steering mechanism, this crank pin bears firmly against one. or the other of said walls and rides along the same until it cooperates with one of the walls 45 which stops the movement; of the pin relatively to the push rod to transmit such motion to said push rod.

In order that the pin will nbrmally lie in the shaped crotch formed by the walls lr-l, a resilient device bears against the pull bar. This resilient devi-cel may be of any suitable construction but preferably it is in the form of a bowed spring -ttj of llat stock. one end ot said spring being directly connected to the pull bai and the other end being adjustably supported. ln thisI instance. this adjustment comprises a disk 4T rotatably mounted upon the stub lhaft and having one end i8 connected' t'e'the pull bar ll while the other end 1li). of th/e spring lett is eccentrically -ctmneeted thereto sothat, upon the rotation of the disk, the spring' will be raised and lowered thus carrying or elevating the pull bar il, out of connection with the crank pin el-IS on the crank shaft 42. -The rotation of the disk T is limited by pins fit) one on each side of the connection lt) to cooperate with `the bowed spring after the end 48 of the latter has been carried past the dead center, at both ends of its movement. This lcombined shock abs sorber and throwout removes all strain from thelamp operating `meelia1iism due to the sudden operation of the steering mechanism 'and it further provides a conneciton by the sides of the road` as for instance, as sign boards and numbers on houses and alsofor lighting the road in rear of the vehicle for backing. With this purpose in view, a {texible connector leads from each of the lamps to a point where it may be readily reached from the seat of the vehicle. This connection is indicated at 5l and it attaches to an eye or other device 52 on the inverted cupmember l5.

\\'ith the object in view of further supporting the lamps against vibration, there may be provided a connecting' bar 53 between the tops of the lamps, said bar being connected to the lamps at their centers of rotation and serving to steady the same.

In the operation of the invention, the lamp operating mechanism connected to the steering mechanism through the means of the combined shock absorber and throwout. 'hen the steering mechanism is operated to turn the vehicle to the right', the lamp on the left hand side of the machine turns in the direct-ion of the turning of the vehicle while the lamp on the right hand side of the machine does not move, and vice versa. \Vith this arrangement, the beam of rays projects from that portion of the vehicle which extends farthest forward during the turning, and the wheel and the mud guard do not interfere with the beam of light, as it would if the lamp on the other side were turned outwardly. The lamps are supported on wide base and turn on ball bearings which give them case of action and prevent vibration. The operating' mechanism for the lamps is of a very simple construction and'not liable'to get out ot order. The cost of installing the same is small and the parts are so formed that they may be motmted in out-of--the-way places so that the mechanism is ineonspicuons. The etjualizing bar may be mounted bark of the heater, under the fan and ahead ot' the engine, and may be inclosed by the mud pan.

lIt is apparent that some of the features of construction are also capable of use in connection with headlight mechanisms operating on principles ditlerent from that herein shown.

j, What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters latent is:

l. ln a headlight 1nechanisn'1,.the combination with a pair of lamps, of operating mechanism for the lamps embodying a pivoted member mounted to turn about an upright axis in rear of the lamps, said axis being arranged substantially an equal distance from both lamps, andl flexible connections between the lamps and the pivoted4 member on opposite sides oftheA pivot. of

the .latter whereby when said member is moved in one direction it moves one lamp without affecting the other, and vice versa.

2.- In a headlight mechanism, the combination with a pair of lamps having arms connected thereto and extending forwardly and inwardly therefrom, of operating mechanism for the lamps embodying a pivoted member, and flexible connections between the forward and inwardly-extending arms and the pivoted member on opposite sides of the pivot of the latter, whereby each lamp can turn independently of the other to project its beam across the beam of the other lamp in front of the latter and each lamp, on turning, moves at a greater speed during the first part of its movement than during the latter part. e

3. In a headlight mechanism, the combination with a pair'oflampsrof op'erating mechanism for the lamps embodying a pivoted member, flexible connection between the lamps and the pivoted member on opposite sides of the pivot of the latter, and means for shifting either of the lamps independently of the other withoutI shifting the pivoted member.

4. In a headlight mechanism, the combination with a pair of pivotally mounted lamps, of operatingmechanism for the lamps having connection with the latter permitting the lamps to be moved independently of the operating mechanism, and means for moving the lamps independently of each other and independently of the operating mechanism so that the lamps may be swung to illuminate objects on either side of the roadway or be turned to illuminate objects inthe rear of the vehicle.

In a headlight mechanisi'n, a lamp having a pivotal support comprising a sleeve formed with a surrounding flange, a rock shaft turning in said sleeve and having a portion carried thereby for bearing agaii'ist the tlangeand also a portion at its lower end bearing against the lower end of the sleeve, and a spring housed between the iange and the portion on the rock shaft which coperates with said flange.

(3. In a headlight mechanism, a lamp having a pivoted support coniprising a sleeve formed with a surroundingiiangc, a. rock shaft turning in said sleeve, carrying a member for coperating with the flange and liaring a screw threaded portion projecting above said member, a U-shapcd bracket for the lamp fitted on the screw threaded portion, and nut for holding said bracket to said screw threaded portion.

7. In a headlight mechanism, the combination with a pair of lamps mounted to turn about vertical axes, of a connecting bar between the lamps, said bar being connected to the latter at their centers of rotation and serving to steady the lamps,

8. In a headlight mechanism, alamp having a pivotal support comprising a bearing member, a rock shaft turning in said membei', an inverted cup-shaped member on the a cup-shaped member secured to the rock shaft, balls interposed vbetween the cupshaped member and the flange, a collar suryrounding the shaft below the sleeve, balls interposed between said collar and the sleeve, and a nut operating on the shaft against the collar for taking up play between the cupshaped member and the flange.

10. In a headlight mechanism, a. lamp having a support comprising a bearing member, a rock shaft turning in said bearing member, a cup-shaped member secured thereto and cooperating with said bearing member,

and a spring interposed between said cup-- shaped member and the bearing member.

1l. In a headlight mechanism, a lamp having a support comprising a bearing member, a rock shaft turning therein, a cup-shaped member cperating with the bearing member and carried by the roel: shaft, and a spring formed from a single piece of wire bent between its ends and coiled, the coil surrounding the rock-shaft, the intermediate l bend being secured to the bearing member and the two arms being secured to the cup-- shaped 4member substantially at diametrically opposite points.

l2. The combination with a vehicle and a steering mechanism therefor, of a headlig-hlt mechanism having connection with the steering mechanism to be shifted by the latter, said connection having a shock absorber adpistable to disconnect the headlightmechanism from the steering mechanism.-

13. The combination with a vehicle having a steering mechanism, of a headlight mechanism, a pull bar connected to s aid headlight mechanism having a recess, a crank shaft connected to the. steering mechanism and harina a crank pin fitted in said recess, and mean. lor shifting said pull rod to canse it to d .engage with the. crank pin.

lsl4 The combinationwith a vehicle having a steering mechanism embodying a rock shaft, ot' a headlight mechanism, a pull bar connected to the headlight mechanism and provided with a recess, a crank arm connected to the roel; shaft and having a crank pin operating in the recess of the pull bar, and

lng a support comprising a sleeve, a flange 4shaft coperating with the bearing member,

a member rotatably mounted on the rock shaft and connected to the pull bar to disconnect the latter from the crank pin.

l5. The combination with a vehicle having a steering mechanism embodying a rock shaft., of a headlight mechanism, a pull bar connected to the headlight mechanism and provided with a recess having converging Walls, a crank arm connected tothe rock shaft and. having a crank pin operating in the recess, and resilient means acting on the pull bar to cause the converging Walls of the recess to coperate with crank pin under normal conditions but to permit the crank pin to shift in the recess when the steering mechanism is Operated.

16. The combination with a vehicle having a steering mechanism embodying a rock shaft7 of a headlight mechanism, a pull bar connected to the headlight mechanism and provided with a recess having converging walls, a crank arm connected to the rock shaft and having a crank pin operating in the recess` a member rotatably mounted on the rock shaft, and a spring connecting said member and the pull bar to lift the latter ont of connection with the crank pin and to provide a resilient means permitting the crank pin to move in the recess of the pull bar.

1T. The combination with a vehicle having a steering mechanism embodying a rock shaft, o't' a headlight mechanism, a pull bar connected to the headlight mechanism and provided with a recess having converging wells, a crank arm connected to the rock shaft and having a crank pin operating in the recess, a member rotatably mounted on the rock shaft, a bowed spring connecting said member and the pull bar to lift the latter ont of connection with the crank pin and to provide a resilient means permitting the crank pin to move in the recess of the pull bar,. and stops arranged to coperate with the spring to limit the rotation of the rotary member.

CHARLES S. PAR-CELLS. lVitn esses JOHN M. SU'rroN, PATRICK SAVAGE. 

